Switching to Coated Strings

[Westerly Wood]

As I am not playing much right now, and the BR is under the bed in a case, I have decided I am sick of changing strings.
Got DR Veritas on the BR as it sits for who knows how long till it is picked up again.
Got Elixir 80/20 lights coming for the F30R.

Will probably try out the Polywebs on the BR if the DRs don't last, and of course, I will also try Elixir PB lights on the F30R when the 80/20s die out.

This is quite the change. Could be a watershed moment for me. Who knows, maybe I will buy a Guild 12 string, really anything can happen at this point...

 

[JackNangle]

I’ve used D’addario strings on everything for decades, tried various coated strings over the years but never liked them enough (feel or sound or a combination of both) to justify the cost. Tried Daddario XS phosphor bronze strings on my D240 and was very impressed so got some electric (12-54) nickel wound XS and they’re my go-to favourite strings now, I’m in the process of putting them on all my electrics. Feel smoother (and a little heavier gauge) than regular XL without the plasticky feel of XP, loud, bright and clear without the harsh, shouty quality of NY (which I didn’t like). Expensive but worth it (to me at least).
All just my opinion of course.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I’ve used D’addario strings on everything for decades, tried various coated strings over the years but never liked them enough (feel or sound or a combination of both) to justify the cost. Tried Daddario XS phosphor bronze strings on my D240 and was very impressed so got some electric (12-54) nickel wound XS and they’re my go-to favourite strings now, I’m in the process of putting them on all my electrics. Feel smoother (and a little heavier gauge) than regular XL without the plasticky feel of XP, loud, bright and clear without the harsh, shouty quality of NY (which I didn’t like). Expensive but worth it (to me at least).
All just my opinion of course.

I will try me some XS then. I think West likes these too. Thanks for the tip.

 

[GAD]

I think most of the people who hate on Elixers only tried the Polywebs, which have a thick coating. If they bug you try Nanowebs. They're the only strings I use.

 

[GAD]

Moving to Acoustics

 

[Bernie]

Many people seem to like XS strings : and I was lucky to win a set (I don't really remember having applied to a giveaway (!), at least I don't remember clearly).., but I won't send them back for sure
Time for a choice ; strings I've got on my main guitar are kind of nearly exhausted (for the unpoor), so I have to decide if I want the XS on it, or if I'll stick to the Elixir it has had when new, and that I kept using when I changed them...
Or if I'd go Martin (have a set of all three makes right now).
Should I keep the XS for the Martin guitar, or the Guild that I have left aside with Bronze coated Martin strings she didn't enjoy (or maybe was it me instead ) ? My Furch is such a simple guitar, it may not need those expensive strings...
Have a non coated Martin PB strings too ...

 

[GGJaguar]

I'm suitably impressed with the D'Addario XT phosphor bronze strings.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I think most of the people who hate on Elixers only tried the Polywebs, which have a thick coating. If they bug you try Nanowebs. They're the only strings I use.

Polys sound good on my D25. But true, the coating is a bit grotesque.

 

[Bernie]

I'm suitably impressed with the D'Addario XT phosphor bronze strings.

What's the difference between XT and XS, does anybody know ?

I did try Polywebs on an other guitar (kind of an Hybrid set at a discount price), and it didn't work well either, whereas I'm usually pleased with Nanowebs

 

[GAD]

Polys sound good on my D25. But true, the coating is a bit grotesque.

Nanowebs feel like regular strings to me and don’t get that nasty gunk peeling off like the Polyweb’s do.

 

[walrus]

WW, switching strings is your thing! Stop trying to stop! What happened to the "building your own set" idea?

 

[Westerly Wood]

WW, switching strings is your thing! Stop trying to stop! What happened to the "building your own set" idea?

I realized I paid twice as much for a light gauge string set.

 

[Walter Broes]

Still haven't liked any coated strings I've played

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

My 2 favorite coated string choicer are #1- Martin Lifespan.
#2- D'Addario XS. These cost more but sound a bit better to me.

Phosphor Bronze on both.

 

[davismanLV]

Would you like me to alert the media for you?? People will want to know....

 

[Brucebubs]

I think most of the people who hate on Elixers only tried the Polywebs, which have a thick coating. If they bug you try Nanowebs. They're the only strings I use.

Tried them both, same result .. too slippery! I think the problem with Elixirs for me (and possibly D'Addario XS) is the strings are wound then coated.
I have no problem with any other brands (including D'Addario XT's) where the string is coated then wound.
Big difference in my opinion.

 

[Neal]

Elixirs, both Nanoweb and Polyweb, sound bright to my ears, And they stay bright. If that’s your thing, cool!

I hear more “string” than “wood” when I use them. Not my thing.

 

[jeffcoop]

I have enough guitars, and I'm bad enough at changing strings, that I've used Elixir nano web 80/20s on just about everything for over a decade. They're not the best sounding strings in the world, but to me they're good enough, and they do last.

 

[chazmo]

Will probably try out the Polywebs

Eliixir polywebs have a very thick coating on them, Woody. You can really feel the difference. I always liked them because they don't squeak under your fingers, but they're an acquired taste. You will really notice them since you're used to bare metal.

I don't know if you've tried Elixir nanowebs, but those are much more "natural" feeling.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Eliixir polywebs have a very thick coating on them, Woody. You can really feel the difference. I always liked them because they don't squeak under your fingers, but they're an acquired taste. You will really notice them since you're used to bare metal.

I don't know if you've tried Elixir nanowebs, but those are much more "natural" feeling.

I got the Elixir 80/20 nanos coming on Monday. Those are going on the F30R.
I got DR Veritas on the BR now, they are nasty feeling, but I am not playing that guitar at all, I just wanted some strings on it to hold it over. Will probably put Polys on it in the fall.

thanks Chaz.